Harpy

Harpy

She-devil

Witch

Strong women with

voices and minds of their own

in a world where women were

supposed to be

Meek

Virtuous

Submissive

prostrating themselves

before the altar of

patriarchal splendour,

a silent support to their

Father

Husband

Brother

where those who rebelled

who dared to be different

and took their own path

were

Maligned

Ignored

Dismissed

until their ideas

and plans

became male and emerged

into brilliance:

Groundbreaking

Inspired

Rewarded

But gradually they found

their voice and

challenged the

status quo, becoming

Homeowner

Businesswoman

Suffragette

Women reclaiming their place

beside not behind, ignoring

the words which wound to draw

others to their side, becoming

Strong

Vocal

Resilient

proud to be themselves

and see beyond, to

the truth beneath

the slanderous names of

Witch

She-devil

Harpy.